Overview
Since 1963, ACDI/VOCA has worked in 148 countries to empower people in developing and transitional nations to succeed in the global economy. Headquartered in Washington, D.C., ACDI/VOCA is a nonprofit international development organization that delivers technical and management solutions in agriculture, economic growth, and resilience to promote economic prosperity and social inclusion.

Our mission is to foster market-driven economic growth by promoting sustainable agriculture, strengthening cooperatives and enterprises, and enhancing the capacity of local organizations. We support the adoption of good agricultural practices, improve access to finance, and connect producers to markets. Our work also includes building the capacity of small and medium enterprises (SMEs), improving business services, and fostering a supportive environment for private sector investment and inclusive growth.

Position Summary

ACDI/VOCA is seeking a Chief of Party candidate for an anticipated U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Food for Progress (FFPr) Program in Ethiopia. The program aims to support Ethiopia in modernizing its agricultural sector by improving productivity and/or expanding trade in agricultural products. Should ACDI/VOCA succeed with the opportunity, the employment is expected to start in October 2025.

The Chief of Party will provide strategic leadership, ensuring high-quality design, implementation, and oversight of the program. They will lead a multidisciplinary team, serve as the primary liaison with USDA and stakeholders, oversee compliance, and align activities with national priorities.

Location:

This position will be based in Ethiopia, the specific location will depend on the zone of influence of the project and USDA’s guidance

• Serve as the primary point of contact with USDA, ACDI/VOCA HQ, government counterparts, private sector stakeholders, and other local partners.
• Lead strategic planning, development of annual work plans, and day-to-day project implementation in compliance with USDA guidelines.
• Ensure timely, high-quality delivery of technical, financial, and operational aspects of the project.
• Supervise and mentor senior technical and operational staff, supporting professional development and performance management.
• Oversee the monitoring and evaluation (M&E) system to ensure project targets are met or exceeded, applying adaptive management principles as needed.
• Promote sustainable public-private partnerships and private sector investment in target value chains.
• Ensure financial systems are in place to monitor expenditures and track progress against the work plan and budget.
• Represent the project in written and oral presentations to diverse audiences, including the client, local stakeholders, and internal leadership.
• Oversee coordination with subcontractors, consultants, and field teams to maintain technical and operational excellence.

• Bachelor’s degree in agronomy, agribusiness, agricultural economics, veterinary or a related field; an advanced academic degree is preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of progressive leadership experience managing agriculture, value chain, or cooperative development programs.
• Prior experience as Chief of Party for USDA or other USG-funded projects; FFPr experience strongly preferred.
• Proven experience working on agriculture-related projects in Ethiopia, with strong industry networks and demonstrated experience collaborating with local/central government stakeholders.
• Proven expertise in agricultural productivity, trade facilitation, and private sector engagement.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, especially in resource-constrained environments.
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Fluency in English is required; proficiency in Oromo and/or Amharic is highly desirable.
• Must have advanced written and spoken communication skills.

Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted.

Local professionals are strongly encouraged to apply.

ACDI/VOCA does not request payment or charge fees at any stage of the recruitment process